Betty Lou Davis Minton

Betty Lou Davis Minton, daughter of the late Dr. Sam Severy Davis and Nola Parmenter Davis, was born on Nov. 10, 1927, in Bloomfield, Mo. and died on Dec. 16, 2014 at her residence near Dexter at the age of 87.

Mrs. Minton had the longest membership in the First United Methodist Church in Dexter. She was an educator for 29 years, teaching in Stoddard County rural schools, Central Elementary and Southwest Elementary in the Dexter Public School System. She and her husband, Keith, were sharecroppers on the Buckhorn Plantation. She then worked on the family farm after retirement from teaching from 1978 until her death.

She was united in marriage to Keith Meade Minton on July 25, 1948 at Dexter. Mr. Minton preceded her in death on Nov. 10, 2006.

Survivors include two sons, Davis D. Minton and Bradley A. Minton, both of Dexter. She is also survived by other relatives and friends.

Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Dr. Keith Meade Minton Jr.; by two brothers, James Davis and Howard Davis; and by five sisters; Mary Lou Hill, Dorothy Gray, Bonnie Carroll; Edison "Pokey" Davis and Margaret Brookreson.

Visitation will take place at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014. Graveside services will follow in the Sycamore Cemetery near Dexter with Dr. Barry Winders officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841 or to The Haven House, P.O. Box 4875, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901.